football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor pick their Arsenal starting XIs to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Wednesday night
Ryan Taylor
17:00, 27 Jan 2026
Kai Havertz
View 2 Images
Kai Havertz is yet to start for Arsenal this season due to injury
Arsenal have the chance to make it eight wins from eight in the Champions League group phase when they host Kairat Almaty on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners are looking to respond and lift the home crowd following Sunday's underwhelming 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta's men have all but wrapped up top spot, however, they will want to continue their red-hot European form which sees them viewed as among the competition's favourites.
Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are suspended while William Saliba and Jurrien Timber won't feature due to small niggles.
Here is how Tom Canton (chief Arsenal reporter) and Ryan Taylor would line up against the Kazakh side, who are bottom of the Champions League standings.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Tom Canton - Chief Arsenal reporter
This is a very strange game, but perhaps welcome for the Gunners as they look to secure an eighth successive win. But not only that, return to winning ways after the disappointment of the weekend.
Major rotations are expected, but I just want to see Kai Havertz play over anyone else. Arsenal need him more than ever, with something of a crisis emerging amongst the attackers who are struggling to score.
But opportunities for fitness levels to improve for Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori will be welcomed with Piero Hincapie to come off the bench.
While Eberechi Eze could do with finding some form and this could be the game for exactly that.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Kairat: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Eze; Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli.
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal
View 2 Images
TC wants to see Martin Odegaard keep his place in the Arsenal starting XI(Image: Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
Ryan Taylor
This is a fun XI to play with because Arteta has so many options. Arsenal's squad is so strong nowadays even a second-string team looks fantastic on paper.
This match against Kairat should be about restoring confidence at home, doing a professional job to make it eight wins from eight in the Champions League and also giving minutes to those that need them.
My team is almost identical to Tom's but I would drop Havertz into midfield to accommodate Gyokeres.
Yes, the Swede has been dismal of late but Arsenal can't give up on him when there is still so much to play for and he'd likely benefit from a few goals.
Havertz can play in midfield and it might help him rebuild his fitness if he's more involved, enjoying more touches and covering more ground.
The rest of the team picks itself, it's also a shame Ethan Nwaneri has joined Marseille on loan because he would have started and really enjoyed this one.
Article continues below
Riccardo Calafiori comes back in but he only needs to play 45 minutes to an hour.
Taylor's XI vs Kairat: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Havertz, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Welcome to 'Seeing Red' - our new Arsenal podcast
We've launched a new Arsenal podcast 'Seeing Red' with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
We'll provide insight and reaction - and have fun along the way - as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.
Click here to view our YouTube channel
Click here to download our podcasts